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*FLASH: Millennium Films Pick-Up Sonja!*

05-03-2006, 10:15 PM

This just in from Dynamite...

Millennium Films and Emmett/Furla
Go into Battle with "Red Sonja"

Los Angeles, CA (May 3, 2006) – Avi Lerner and Danny Dimbort's Millennium Films and Randall Emmett and George Furla's Emmett/Furla Films are pleased to announce they have acquired the rights to produce and distribute a feature film based on the “Red Sonja” property as well as the allied and ancillary rights. The picture will be produced by Randall Emmett, George Furla and Avi Lerner as well as executive produced by M. Dal Walton III, Luke Lieberman, Nick Barrucci, Danny Dimbort, Trevor Short and Boaz Davidson. The property is currently out to writers and directors.

Based on a character by Sword and Sorcery legend Robert E Howard, Red Sonja was introduced into Marvel's "Conan the Barbarian" comics in 1973, and was soon given her own title series. In the years that followed, Red Sonja became an iconic figure in the Comic Book and Fantasy genre's.

In 2005 Dynamite Entertainment launched a new Red Sonja comic book series with great success. Red Sonja has consistently been the best selling mainstream independent comic book since its launch in July 2005. Featuring a stunning array of talent, the book launched with a “#0” issue – and sold in excess of 240,000 copies. Along with comics, other Red Sonja merchandise has been released including: trading cards, collectible statues, high-end lithographs and more.

Lerner stated: “I am thrilled to be producing ‘RED SONJA.” Few other properties are as visually exciting and action-packed. Once again, Randy and George have found a winner.”

Emmett and Furla stated: “We have made it a priority of our company to acquire ‘branded properties’ and we believe that there are few properties out there which have as much untapped franchise potential as ‘Red Sonja, who is already a leader in both the Comic book and fantasy genres.’”

About Millennium Films

Nu Image Films was established in 1992 by Avi Lerner and Danny Dimbort, veteran film producers from Israel, and has annually produced 15 to 18 lowbudget and foreign-sale films. In 1996, Nu Image formed Millennium Films to address the market's growing need for quality art films and higher budget action features. Since 1999, Nu Image has filmed 40 films at their studios in Sofia, Bulgaria, and Millennium Films now has titles on its slate with budgets of up to $68 million. These include Brian De Palma's “THE BLACK DAHLIA,” starring Scarlett Johansson, Josh Hartnett and Hilary Swank, “16 BLOCKS” starring Bruce Willis and the remake of the 1973 thriller “THE WICKER MAN,” starring Nicolas Cage. Nu Image/Millennium Films had a co-production deal with Miramax/Dimension Films, which had been in place till the Weinstein Brothers left both companies. Nu Image recently announced plans to produce “POE,” a film about the life and works of gothic author, Edgar Allen Poe, to the screen with Stallone helming the director's chair for the first time since 1985's smash-hit, “ROCKY IV,” and scheduled to begin production prior to “RAMBO IV.”

About Emmett/Furla Films

In February, Alcon Entertainment and Warner Bros. opened the Dick Donner helmed “16 BLOCKS” nation-wide. The pic, which starred Bruce Willis, Mos Def and David Morse, was produced by Emmett/Furla Films and Millennium Films. In addition to “16 BLOCKS,” Emmett/Furla Films and Millennium Films produced the Nicolas Cage Star-er “THE WICKER MAN” with Neil La Bute directing, which Alcon and Warnr Bros. will also release later this year. With Millennium Films, Emmett/Furla Films is currently in post-production on the Al Pacino star-er “88 MINUTES” for director Jon Avnet, as well as Bruce Beresford’s “THE CONTRACT” with John Cusack and Morgan Freeman starring. Emmett/Furla and Millennium recently wrapped “HOME OF THE BRAVE” for director Irwin Winkler and began production on the Michael Douglas star-er “KING OF CALIFORNIA” for director Michael Cahill on May 2nd. Emmett/Furla Films is currently in post-production on “BORDERLAND” for Lions Gate Films.

About Luke Lieberman

Luke Lieberman, vice-president of Red Sonja LLC, currently serves as editor on the Red Sonja comic series, as well as co-writing the best-selling Red Sonja Vs. Thulsa Doom series, with a sequel being developed for release later this year. The deal was negotiated on behalf of Red Sonja, LLC by Arthur Lieberman, Esq. and The Gersh Agency and by M. Dal Walton, III on behalf of Emmett/Furla Films.

About Nick Barrucci

Nick Barrucci, president of Dynamite Entertainment and its parent company, Dynamic Forces, Inc. Dynamite Entertainment has debuted as the comic book industry’s leading new comic book publisher with titles including Red Sonja, Thulsa Doom, Army of Darkness, Re-Animator, and Battlestar Galactica. DF is the comic book industry's leader of limited edition and autographed memorabilia, including comic books, resin figures, lithographs.